Shane Victorino leaves for Old Glory

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FORT MYERS — Just when Shane Victorino was settling in with the Red Sox, he is packing his bags again.

At least it is for a worthy cause.

His country called and Victorino could not resist signing up, especially because he understands playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is only a part-time gig.

“It was tough, for me, knowing that I’m coming to a new team. It was definitely a tough decision, but ultimately I’ve been (in the WBC) before, I did it in ’09 and knowing that, I think that helped me to make my decision this time,” said Victorino after yesterday’s 2-1 Red Sox victory over the Twins. “It was tough to tell (manager) John (Farrell) and tell the organization, ‘Hey, I’m going to take that time and go play,’ especially coming in with what happened last year and trying to build that chemistry, trying to build that camaraderie on the team and I hope nobody takes it that way.”

Victorino does take his role as a good clubhouse, good chemistry guy quite seriously, so it helped a great deal that he got at least one key veteran to lend his support.

“A lot of guys do understand — Dustin (Pedroia) texted me, when I told them I was going to play, and (he) said, ‘Hey, good luck, go get them.’ And he said the same thing today, so that’s the kind of stuff that’s important to me. I look back on the back end that I will have time when I get back, to prepare myself with this team and that for me is the ultimate time for us to get ready, those last few weeks when we all get together as a team and get ready to go.”

Victorino, who inked a three-year deal over the winter, is enthusiastic about any activity. On the brink of this next great adventure, he was bubbling over with excitement. He will fly to Phoenix today and, assuming the United States advances through the round-robin pool play, he is expecting the U.S. to go deep into the tournament.

Team USA has failed in the two other WBC events to reach the championship game, but Victorino expects the U.S. to be a favorite, for many reasons.

“You know who’s always the target: The USA is always the target because USA baseball is the mecca and everybody wants to play in the major leagues here,” said Victorino. “Having our major leaguers go there, everybody wants to beat us and the target is on our back, but at the same time, I can’t say that because the last two times around we haven’t won, so Japan has the target on their back. But you look back, and the USA is the team everybody wants to beat.”

Win or lose, Team USA is going to disband no later than March 19, meaning Victorino will be back with the Red Sox by March 20. There will be 10 Grapefruit League games left on the schedule, 10 games for Victorino to not only get his timing back at the plate — he went 0-for-11 in his first five games — but also establish a good working relationship on defense with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and other outfielders.

“Oh, I don’t think anyone has a problem with rapport with Shane,” said Farrell. “He’s going to have a lot of conversation. Like any early spring training, he’s working to get his timing down. The one thing we found in the short term is that in a game situation, and in the game, he’s willing to talk — in a good way and in a light-hearted way at times. We’re really looking forward to when he comes back into camp, for sure.”